Backpack carrier device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments herein discloses a wearable device for holding a backpack. The device comprising a base member and a flexible support member. The base member configured to receive the backpack comprises one or more arms. The arms are engaged to a flexible support member via engagement members. The device is fastened around waist of a user via a fastening mechanism. The base member of the device rest on a posterior of a pelvic region, and the arms are configured to hold an iliac crest of the pelvic region, when the user wears the device. The device is configured to distribute a part of a vertical weight of the backpack into a horizontal thrust on the pelvic region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a carrier device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for holding or carrying the backpack, while user wearing the backpack.

B. Description of Related Art

Backpacks use has increased in recent years. The backpacks are used for day hiking and performing other outdoor recreational activities. The backpacks rely on shoulder straps, and, optionally, hip straps, to carry the load. A backpack with standard shoulder straps primarily carries the load on the shoulders. When the backpack worn by a user, the entire weight or load of the backpack is resting on the shoulders of the user. In operation, the entire load from the backpack is directed vertically through the shoulder straps onto the shoulders of the user creating discomfort to the user. To compensate for the excessive load on the shoulders the user could unnaturally hunch forward subjecting themselves to ill posture and potentially bad back problems. Moreover, repeatedly tugging at the shoulder straps of the backpack, while walking is distracting, resulting in a repeated shifting back and forth of the center of gravity of the backpack, and thus making the walking uncomfortable.

The use of backpacks is not limited to aforementioned fields. Students for carrying books and supplies between school and home use backpacks. In the present days, the students need to carry more books and supplies than in the past. The school institution, distracted by the full course of the lessons, despite the laws that set the maximum limit of the weight of the backpack equal to 10-15% of the weight of the user, does not care about the amount of books, notebooks and accessories carried by the students between the school and the home. In addition to the incorrect position of the backpack, other incorrect postural attitudes such as sitting in front of the personal computer (on average 2-3 hours a day) and sitting on the sofa in front of the TV (as many hours) are additional actions carried by the students, which deteriorate the health of the students.

Various disadvantages are associated on carrying the heavy load on the backpack The heavy load on the backpack causes fatigue, discomfort, poor posture, and even musculoskeletal disorder, injury, head and neck aches, muscle spasms, and poor blood circulation to the arms and hands of the user resulting from blood constriction of the straps and the loaded backpack.

From the above, there exists a long-felt need for a device that helps in maintaining the correct posture of the user. Further, there is need of the device that distributes the load from the shoulder of the user, preventing the user to bend forward while walking or performing any activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provides a device used for holding a backpack, wherein the device is secure around waist of a user's body.

In an embodiment, a wearable device for holding a backpack is disclosed. The device comprises a base member and a flexible support member. The base member configured to receive the backpack. The base member comprises one or more arms. The arms are engaged to the flexible support member via engagement members. The device is fastened around waist of a user via a fastening mechanism. The base member of the device rest on a posterior of a pelvic region, and the arms are configured to hold an iliac crest of the pelvic region, when the user wears the device. The base member, and the arms forms the rigid part of the device. One of the arms is configured to engage to a first flexible support member, and the other arm is engaged to a second flexible support member. The first flexible support member, and the second flexible support member forms the flexible support member. The engagement of the arms to the flexible support member is via one or more engagement members. In an embodiment, the device is fastened around the waist of the user via a fastening mechanism. The purpose of the fastening mechanism is to secure the first flexible support member, and the second flexible support member for fastening the device around the waist of the user.

In an embodiment, the user could wear the device, before or after carrying the backpack as the device do not have shoulder straps as present in conventional backpack carrier system. The device has the flexible support member, which helps in the attachment of the device around the waist of the user. The base member of the device is configured to receive a base of the backpack allowing the backpack to rest upon it. The base member is a seat that facilitates the base of the backpack to rest when the user is running, walking or performing any kind of activity carrying the loaded backpack. The arms of the device wraps the iliac crest part of the pelvic region. A part or portion of a vertical weight or load of the backpack is distributed into a horizontal thrust on the pelvic region. The present feature of the device prevents the user to bend forward while walking, running or performing any kind of activity.

In an embodiment, an inner surface of the rigid part of the device having contact with the pelvic region of the user is provided with a padding. In another embodiment, a side padding is provided on an inner surface of each of the arms. The side padding is configured to be in contact with the iliac crest of the pelvic region. In other words, the side padding is configured to hold the iliac crest area of the pelvic region. Further, the device has a posterior padding configured to hold and provide comfort to a posterior of the pelvic region, when the user wears the device. The paddings and are made of a foam material for example but not limited to ethyl vinyl acetate. The paddings provided on the device could be made of any material that serves the purpose of the present invention. The padding provides comfort to the user on wearing the device.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A exemplary illustrates the device worn by the user, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B exemplary illustrates the device worn by the user carrying a backpack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 exemplary illustrates a side view of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A exemplary illustrates a principle of golden proportion, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5B exemplary illustrates construction of the device based on the principle of golden proportion, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the device 100 is a backpack carrier device used for distribution of a load into a pelvic region of a human body or a user's body for maintaining a correct posture. The device 100 is a wearable device that restricts the distribution of the load on a vertebral column. In an embodiment, the device 100 comprises a base member 102, and a flexible support member 104. The base member 102 includes one or more arms 106. The base member 102 and the arms 106 forms the rigid part of the device 100. The base member 102 is configured to receive a backpack 108 (shown in FIG. 2B). In an embodiment, the arms 106 are the lateral supports of the device 100. One of the arms 106 is configured to engage to a first flexible support member 104 a, and the other arm 106 is engaged to a second flexible support member 104 b. The first flexible support member 104 a, and the second flexible support member 104 b forms the flexible support member 104. The engagement of the arms 106 to the flexible support member 104 is via one or more engagement members 110 for example, but not limited to interlocking elements. Various types of engagement members could be used, including but not limited to, screws, rivets, pins, snap-lock fasteners, and/or any other type of engagement members capable of securing the arms 106 to the flexible support member 104. The flexible support member 104 is similar to a shoulder strap.

In an embodiment, the device 100 is fastened around waist of the user via a fastening mechanism or a securing mechanism. The purpose of the fastening mechanism is to secure the first flexible support member 104 a, and the second flexible support member 104 b for fastening the device 100 around the waist of the user. In an embodiment, the fastening mechanism 112 is provided on a front part of the flexible support member 104. In another embodiment, different types of securing mechanisms or fastening mechanism 112 could be employed, for example but not limited to Velcro (hook and loop system), snaps, a zipper, a sleeve or a pocket. Further, any other type of fastening mechanism 112 could be employed, capable of securing the first flexible support member 104 a and the second flexible support member 104 b such that the device 100 is secured around the waist of the user. Referring to FIG. 2A exemplary illustrates the device 100 worn by the user, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2B exemplary illustrates the device 100 worn by the user carrying the backpack 108, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user could wear the device 100, before or after carrying the backpack 108, as the device 100 do not have shoulder straps as present in conventional backpack carrier system. The device 100 has the flexible support member 104, which is flexible in nature, and thereby helps in the attachment of the device 100 to the waist of the user. The base member 102 of the device 100 is configured to receive a base of the backpack 108 allowing the backpack 108 to rest upon it. The base member 102 is a seat that facilitates the base of the backpack 108 to rest, when the user is running, walking or performing any kind of activity. The arms 106 of the device 100 wraps an iliac crest part of the pelvic region. In an embodiment, a vertical weight or load of the backpack 108 is distributed into a horizontal thrust towards the pelvic region. In another embodiment, at least a portion or a part of the vertical weight or load of the backpack 108 is distributed into the horizontal thrust towards the pelvic region reducing the sensation of the load on the shoulders of the user. In some embodiments, a part of the weight is distributed on a sacrum and on the iliac crest of the pelvic region. The present feature of the device 100 prevents the user to bend forward while walking, running or performing any kind of activity carrying the loaded backpack 108. The device 100 helps the user to maintain a correct posture.

Referring to FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. An inner surface of the device 100 in contact with the pelvic region of the user is provided with a padding. In an embodiment, an inner surface of the rigid part of the device 100 is padded. The rigid part and the padding of the device 100 are injection molded. In another embodiment, a side padding 118 is provided on an inner surface of each of the arms 106. The side padding 118 is configured to be in contact with the iliac crest of the pelvic region. In other words, the side padding 118 is configured to hold the iliac crest area of the pelvic region. Further, the device 100 has a posterior padding 120 configured to hold and provide comfort to a posterior of the pelvic region, when the user wears the device 100. The side padding 118 and the posterior padding 120 are made of a foam material for example but not limited to ethyl vinyl acetate. The paddings provided on the device 100 could be made of any material that serves the purpose of the present invention. The padding provided on the rigid part of the device 100 provides comfort to the user upon wearing the device 100. The fastening mechanism 112 disclosed in FIG. 3 comprises a front side strap or belt 114 and buckle system 116. The strap 114 and buckle system 116 is of sufficient length to be wrapped snugly around the user's pelvic region. The strap 114 and buckle system 116 could be of any type of substantially inelastic belt that is adjustable in length and suitable to the function. The buckle system 116 is composed of a male connector, and a female connector. The male connector has a pair of flexible and manually depressible opposing latch fingers. A pair of opposing notches on the female connector member receives the opposing latch fingers of the male connector to lock the buckle system 116. The engagement member 110 disclosed in the FIG. 3 is of 20 micron in size and made of anodized steel. In an embodiment, an emphasis on the fastening mechanism 112 comprising the strap 114 and buckle system 116 is provided in the present invention. However, it is just an example to explain the function, and the need of the fastening mechanism 112, and do not limit the scope of using other type of fastening mechanism 112, which serves the purpose of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 exemplary illustrates a side view of the device 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In operation, the device 100 is easy to use. The inclination of the base member 102, and the elasticity of the material of which base member 102 is composed helps in transferring much of the vertical weight force of the backpack 108 into the horizontal thrust on the pelvis region, thus unloading the weight at a point closest to the natural human center of gravity. In an embodiment, the load or weight of the backpack 108 is discharged on the iliac crest of the pelvic region, thereby helping in maintaining a firm position. In an embodiment, the base member 102 is made of a polymeric material. In another embodiment, the base member 102 is made of a mixture of polymeric material such as but not limited to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyamide (PA).

Referring to FIG. 5A, exemplary illustrates a principle of golden proportion, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure illustrates two quantities a and b with a>b>0. The two quantities a and b are said to be in golden proportion, if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. The geometric expression or relationship of the two quantities are as follows:

a+b÷a=a÷b=φ

Referring to FIG. 5B, exemplary illustrates the construction of the device 100 based on the principle of golden proportion, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the shape of the device 100 is designed from curves that follow the principles of the golden ratio or golden proportion as shown in the FIG. 5B. Moreover, the curvature of the base member 102 provides a certain degree of elasticity, which allows the backpack 108 to dampen a sudden increase in the load, resulting in less stress on the spine.

In an embodiment, the device 100 is configured to solve the problem faced by the school age children. The school age children has to carry heavy loads on their back, which includes notebooks, textbooks, etc. The backpack 108 carried by the school students are fancy, and the load on the backpack 108 makes the students to bend forward while walking, as the entire load rest on the shoulder. The school students have less strength to bear the pressure of the load on the shoulders resulting in injury and spine related issues. However, the device 100 when used by the school students helps in maintaining the correct posture, and prevents the students to bend forward while walking or running. The device 100 could be used in any field or category that relates to carrying of load or weight on the shoulders. The device 100 being easy to use provides comfort to the user carrying the load. The device 100 is configured to prevent the occurrence of spine related injuries or problems in the future, which the user could encounter on carrying the heavy load on the shoulder. In an embodiment, the device 100 is helpful for mountaineers or hikers, practicing an activity for pleasure, or for better health. The device 100 could be useful for any target carrying a weight on the back not limited to the examples provided above. The device 100 helps the user to maintain a correct posture, while performing various activities carrying the backpack 108. Further, the device 100 is weather proof, and easy for storage. The flexible support member 104 of the device 100 could be adjusted according to the waist size of the user or the need of the user wearing the device 100.

The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable device for holding a backpack, the device comprising: a base member configured to receive the backpack, wherein the base member comprises one or more arms, wherein the arms are engaged to a flexible support member; and a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the device around waist of a user, wherein the base member rest on a posterior of a pelvic region, and the arms are configured to hold iliac crest of the pelvic region of the user.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to distribute a part of the load of the backpack towards a pelvic region of a user, thereby preventing the user to bent forward on carrying a loaded backpack.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the arms are engaged to the flexible support member via one or more engagement members.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible support member further comprises a first flexible support member and a second flexible support member, wherein the first flexible support member and the second flexible support member are fastened via the fastening mechanism.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of a rigid part of the device is padded with a foam material.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the foam material is ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA).
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the base member is made of a polymeric material.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the base member is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyamide. 